137 replies to this topic

[Lady Templar]

This is not a bad film but as far as I'm concerned it didn't influence the Bond producers to hire Roger Moore as Bond at all.

"Crossplot" is a light-hearted and very enjoyable suspens/comedy.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I definitely need to see this. Another good "Bond" type role for Moore can be found in 1974's "Gold", directed by Bond veteran Peter Hunt.

[Brian Flagg]

Just my opinion, of course, but I always got the impression that Roger Moore was in a position much like Pierce Brosnan was in the mid-1980s, when the latter was often touted as the "Next Bond." I wonder if any "old timers" or those in the know will chime in on this.

I watched Crossplot the other night on Turner Classic Movies and while I didn't care for the movie (I'll give it another try if I ever find it again) it was interesting to see Roger in a post-Saint, pre-Persuaders role. Apparently the movie is pretty obscure; it's not listed in any of my movie guide reference books!

[Turn]

Just my opinion, of course, but I always got the impression that Roger Moore was in a position much like Pierce Brosnan was in the mid-1980s, when the latter was often touted as the "Next Bond." I wonder if any "old timers" or those in the know will chime in on this.

I'm not speaking as somebody from the time (I was around, but was just an infant), but I'd guess a few may have. Yet it's not like today, when we see Bond contenders all the time. At that time NOBODY could replace Connery in most people's eyes, so it wasn't like there was a natural successor like when Brosnan came along in the '80s.

[Brian Flagg]

At that time NOBODY could replace Connery in most people's eyes

Heck, I still believe that!

Glad to see you're still here, Turn, (not that you'd remember me) So many new posters and all that...

[Turn]

At that time NOBODY could replace Connery in most people's eyes

Heck, I still believe that!

Glad to see you're still here, Turn, (not that you'd remember me) So many new posters and all that...

Thanks, Brian, good to see you still around as well. They can't get rid of me.

Yeah, I remember you, especially some of your posts in the Other Spies section.

[TheSaint]

Roger was being considered for Bond before this film was made so, Crossplot didn't influence Eon. Also, Roger and Bob Baker produced this film after The Saint ended, which is why alot of the behind the camera talent were Saint alumni.

What's really interesting about this film is that it gives a clue as to what Roger might've looked like as Bond had he been signed to do OHMSS.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Roger was being considered for Bond before this film was made so, Crossplot didn't influence Eon. Also, Roger and Bob Baker produced this film after The Saint ended, which is why alot of the behind the camera talent were Saint alumni.

That and THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF, which I quite liked.

What's really interesting about this film is that it gives a clue as to what Roger might've looked like as Bond had he been signed to do OHMSS.

Interesting way to look at it that way.

[dee-bee-five]

I definitely need to see this. Another good "Bond" type role for Moore can be found in 1974's "Gold", directed by Bond veteran Peter Hunt.

Gold is a fabulous movie (extremely well-directed by Hunt) in which Moore gives a good performance; his, ahem, rapport with Susannah York - much commented on at the time - feels very real, and John Gielgud gives a good turn in it as well. It's well overdue for a proper DVD release and not the poxy one we've had in the UK thus far.

I quite like Crossplot for all its shortcomings, but, for me, Moore's most underrated film (and performance) just prior to Bond was The Man Who Haunted Himself.

[Diabolik]

Apparently the movie is pretty obscure; it's not listed in any of my movie guide reference books!

The only movie guide I found it in was the British "Halliwell's Film Guide and the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDb.com) It is not available on video.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I definitely need to see this. Another good "Bond" type role for Moore can be found in 1974's "Gold", directed by Bond veteran Peter Hunt.

Gold is a fabulous movie (extremely well-directed by Hunt) in which Moore gives a good performance; his, ahem, rapport with Susannah York - much commented on at the time - feels very real, and John Gielgud gives a good turn in it as well. It's well overdue for a proper DVD release and not the poxy one we've had in the UK thus far.

Yes. I have a DVD of Gold in a public domain release which has a very poor print of the film. Pan-and-scan also, not letterboxed. I love the South African scenery, definitely a nation Bond needs to visit. Definitely a better version of Gold needs to be made available.

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

[Brian Flagg]

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

She seemed to be her (IMO) usual pretty, but wooden, self. Whether it be in Some Came Running or Sons of Katie Elder, Hyer just IMO came off as bland but pretty. Her one good performance was in the original Sabrina, where she was sexy, stunning and displayed a rather nice smile, albeit in a small role.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

She seemed to be her (IMO) usual pretty, but wooden, self. Whether it be in Some Came Running or Sons of Katie Elder, Hyer just IMO came off as bland but pretty. Her one good performance was in the original Sabrina, where she was sexy, stunning and displayed a rather nice smile, albeit in a small role.

Definitely disagree. I think Miss Hyer gave better performances than that. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Some Came Running. She is wonderful as June Allyson's spoiled sister in 1957's My Man Godfrey and as Herodias in the Biblical Epic The Big Fisherman. She also shined as Richard Burton's neglected wealthy wife in the Alaska historical epic Ice Palace, a film that really stretched credibility in that Burton was married to the gorgeous Martha but was hopelessly in love with a somewhat drab Carolyn Jones. Then again there was her turn in the Ray Harryhausen sci-fi classic First Men in the Moon. I think it's too bad she lost out to Janet Leigh for the role of Marion Crane in Psycho. Had Miss Hyer made that film she would have been remembered for all time. She also would have made a splendid Eve Kendall in North by Northwest.

[Brian Flagg]

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

She seemed to be her (IMO) usual pretty, but wooden, self. Whether it be in Some Came Running or Sons of Katie Elder, Hyer just IMO came off as bland but pretty. Her one good performance was in the original Sabrina, where she was sexy, stunning and displayed a rather nice smile, albeit in a small role.

Definitely disagree. I think Miss Hyer gave better performances than that. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Some Came Running. She is wonderful as June Allyson's spoiled sister in 1957's My Man Godfrey and as Herodias in the Biblical Epic The Big Fisherman. She also shined as Richard Burton's neglected wealthy wife in the Alaska historical epic Ice Palace, a film that really stretched credibility in that Burton was married to the gorgeous Martha but was hopelessly in love with a somewhat drab Carolyn Jones. Then again there was her turn in the Ray Harryhausen sci-fi classic First Men in the Moon. I think it's too bad she lost out to Janet Leigh for the role of Marion Crane in Psycho. Had Miss Hyer made that film she would have been remembered for all time. She also would have made a splendid Eve Kendall in North by Northwest.

Hyer campaigned very aggresively for her Oscar nod, but who doesn't? yet the authors of Inside Oscar made a point to mention that Hyer did, so she really must have spent some money and did some pandering.

As for the My Man Godfrey, the less said about the 1957 remake, the better! Try the original, 1936 film instead, though Hyer obviously isn't in it!

I'm sooo glad she didn't get the role in Psycho, she just didn't have "it"!

I've nothing personal against her, but I've been consistently underwhelmed by her performances (except in Sabrina).

[Mike00spy]

Is this the film you are all talking about?


http://www.amazon.co...1004701-5727263

[Diabolik]

Is this the film you are all talking about?


http://www.amazon.co...1004701-5727263

That it. It's interesting that they didn't list Bernard Lee on the cover credits, as it seems Bond fans (and Saint fans) would be the DVD target audience.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

She seemed to be her (IMO) usual pretty, but wooden, self. Whether it be in Some Came Running or Sons of Katie Elder, Hyer just IMO came off as bland but pretty. Her one good performance was in the original Sabrina, where she was sexy, stunning and displayed a rather nice smile, albeit in a small role.

Definitely disagree. I think Miss Hyer gave better performances than that. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Some Came Running. She is wonderful as June Allyson's spoiled sister in 1957's My Man Godfrey and as Herodias in the Biblical Epic The Big Fisherman. She also shined as Richard Burton's neglected wealthy wife in the Alaska historical epic Ice Palace, a film that really stretched credibility in that Burton was married to the gorgeous Martha but was hopelessly in love with a somewhat drab Carolyn Jones. Then again there was her turn in the Ray Harryhausen sci-fi classic First Men in the Moon. I think it's too bad she lost out to Janet Leigh for the role of Marion Crane in Psycho. Had Miss Hyer made that film she would have been remembered for all time. She also would have made a splendid Eve Kendall in North by Northwest.

Hyer campaigned very aggresively for her Oscar nod, but who doesn't? yet the authors of Inside Oscar made a point to mention that Hyer did, so she really must have spent some money and did some pandering.

As for the My Man Godfrey, the less said about the 1957 remake, the better! Try the original, 1936 film instead, though Hyer obviously isn't in it!

Oh, I agree the 1936 original is better as a film but the 1957 one does have Martha at her most gorgeous, playing the rich b**** character she tended to get typecast as. She played a similar role in one of the funnier episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies as Tracy Richards the richest girl in the world.

Is this the film you are all talking about?


http://www.amazon.co...1004701-5727263

That it. It's interesting that they didn't list Bernard Lee on the cover credits, as it seems Bond fans (and Saint fans) would be the DVD target audience.

Maybe the film's owners don't know who Bernard Lee is. Shame, really.

[Brian Flagg]

I should mention that while I'm not a Martha Hyer fan, Some Came Running is one of my favorite films. And as wooden as I say she is, Martha Hyer is sure nice to gaze upon!

[Mike00spy]

The descriptions sounds interesting. Is it worth buying?

[Brian Flagg]

The descriptions sounds interesting. Is it worth buying?

Only if you're a die-hard Moore fan. What sinks it for me is the lackadaisical direction and bland (but pretty) female characters. Claudie Lange makes Martha Hyer seem like Katharine Hepburn.

[doublenoughtspy]

How is Martha Hyer's performance in Crossplot? She was always a very beautiful, classy and underrated actress who would have made a terrific, cool blond heroine in a Hitchcock picture.

You are so right - when I saw her, she just evokes "Hitchcock Blond".

I finally got the DVD of this, courtesy of TheSaint, and I did enjoy it, though parts were agonizingly slow.

Re: Did this influence Eon? Doubtfull. But with United Artists it was actually quite the opposite - the film didn't do that well and it was one of the reasons they weren't that hot to cast Moore in L&LD.

It's too bad this didn't get the special edition with all the above mentioned goodies that were offered to them.

It's interesting to note that the release date (nov 25 1969) was so close to OHMSS - I wonder if any theatres did a double bill?

[TheSaint]

Topics merged

A "Crossplot/OHMSS" double bill poster would be very cool.

[Blofeld's Cat]

How fortuitous that I'm stuck at home with the flu (had it all week), because CROSSPLOT is the mid-day movie today on Channel 7 here in Sydney.

Think I'll tape it in case my meds kick in.

[mrsbonds_ppk]

What is the name of the theme song for this movie?

[Bondian]

What is the name of the theme song for this movie?

I'll check the DVD for you later, but I know it written by an exquisite composer namely Stanley Black.

I own a CD where he conducts. And believe me, he's an awesome orchestrator/conductor.

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers,


Ian

[Blofeld's Cat]

Having only seen the movie last night I can answer the question.

The title song is called I'LL FIND MY LOVE, sung by John Rowles.

Music by Les Reed
Lyrics by Barry Mason

There's another song in the movie called WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, which was sung and composed by Lois Lane.

I taped the movie so I was able to take a shot of the credit.....

 Crossplot.jpg   762.02KB   9 downloads

[Blofeld's Cat]

What is the name of the theme song for this movie?

I'll check the DVD for you later, but I know it written by an exquisite composer namely Stanley Black.

I own a CD where he conducts. And believe me, he's an awesome orchestrator/conductor.

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers,


Ian

It doesn't appear that he wrote the title song.

[mrsbonds_ppk]

thanks a lot guys

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Having only seen the movie last night I can answer the question.

The title song is called I'LL FIND MY LOVE, sung by John Rowles.

Music by Les Reed
Lyrics by Barry Mason

There's another song in the movie called WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, which was sung and composed by Lois Lane.

I taped the movie so I was able to take a shot of the credit.....

 Crossplot.jpg   762.02KB   9 downloads

Wow. That credit looks pretty groovy. Does Roger ever say "oh, behave!" in the film?

[Blofeld's Cat]

Having only seen the movie last night I can answer the question.

The title song is called I'LL FIND MY LOVE, sung by John Rowles.

Music by Les Reed
Lyrics by Barry Mason

There's another song in the movie called WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, which was sung and composed by Lois Lane.

I taped the movie so I was able to take a shot of the credit.....

 Crossplot.jpg   762.02KB   9 downloads

Wow. That credit looks pretty groovy. Does Roger ever say "oh, behave!" in the film?

No.

That comment is only ever said in a movie never made during that time period.